Golden wonder

Talk about a contradiction in terms!  This exquisite little bird is our smallest and weighs less than a 20p piece.  But because of its beautiful golden crown it's known in European folklore as 'king of the birds'.

And yet - it's scientific name is Regulus regulus - the Latin word regulus means 'petty king' and it belongs to the Regulus or Kinglet family, which sounds a bit nearer the mark! 

And all we call it is the goldcrest.   Very unimaginative of us.  

The other Kinglet is K.ignicapillus - Latin scholars will immediately realise we're talking about the Firecrest, which has a white flash alongside the gold - maybe the ash from the fire.

​Andrew Carter got close enough to get this amazing photograph, near Fonthill Lake on Wednesday morning. 

If you have any photos or videos of wildlife that you'd like to share, please do send them in to me at elizabeth_forbes@btinternet.com.

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